THE WOLF-DOG. 55 



been perfectly deadened by the enormous mass of fur, 

 / 



wool, and hair that clothed his shaggy head-piece. 



" It requires a bold man to stand up against such a 

 charge as that," said Joe, looking doubtfully into the face 

 of Mr. Palliser. " I tried it myself once, but the close 

 approach of the bull's horns so flurried my nerves, that 1 

 just made a clean jump over them on to the back of the 

 beast, and so gained time to put in a stretching shot." 



" I own to a considerable shiver, as the bull approached 

 me," said Mr. Palliser, " but the number of his wounds 

 gave me a little confidence that by activity I could escape 

 the assault. I can say without boasting that I do not 

 easily lose either hope or presence of mind. Since I have 

 been out on these plains, I have been placed in situations 

 calculated at the very least to make a man think seri- 

 ously of his last hour. Last winter I was on my way to 

 Fort Mackenzie, travelling alone. All my hunting effects 

 were placed on a travail, to which was harnessed a large 

 animal half wolf and half dog called Ishmah. He was 

 a faithful servant. 



" Ishmah's relationship to the wolf family was often 

 productive of much inconvenience to me, as he used to 

 run off and engage in play with the young wolves, chasing 

 and being chased by them in turn. At first I was 

 amused at this indication of his wild origin, but subse- 

 quently much annoyed, and on one occasion seriously 



